Aztex shut out San Antonio, advance in U.S. Open Cup

Austin advances in U.S. Open Cup to play MLS’ Houston.

Turns out the first Hill Country Derby was no fluke. No, sir.

Back in March, the younger, smaller, less experienced Austin Aztex stunned the San Antonio Scorpions 4-1 in a preseason friendly.

There was nothing friendly about Wednesday night’s rematch in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, but the result was the same as the Aztex knocked off the defending NASL champions 2-0 at Toyota Field.

“They were the favorite. They have a much bigger budget, more resources all the way around, the home field, but we gave it to them again,” Aztex coach Paul Dalglish said.

As the prize, Austin advances to the next round to play Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo in Houston on a date to be determined in this 102-year-old national tournament.

“This is so important for us. We’re just a USL expansion franchise trying to raise the profile of our organization,” Dalglish said.

Left back Mikey Ambrose drilled the winner in the 50th minute, and Trevin Caesar — one of three former Scorpions who received their 2014 title rings in a pregame ceremony — buried his old team in the 77th minute.

“It was sweet, beating my old team,” Caesar said. “Now we get to play the Dynamo, an MLS team, and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this.”

With no score at halftime, Ambrose changed all of that early in the second half when he found himself in open space straight on from goal and nailed a 30-yard drive into the upper left corner of the net.

“We surprised them back in March,” Ambrose said. “This time they knew we were coming, and we still got it done.”

San Antonio turned up the heat. Rafael Castillo of the Scorpions hit a sharp drive toward the left corner of the net in the 60th minute that Devin Perales stopped with a diving save. Minutes later, Marvin Chavez tested Perales, and the Scorpions threatened a few times after that.

But Austin managed to tuck the match away in the 77th minute when Andres Cuero found the ball in deep, with San Antonio pressing, and Cuero smartly got it to Caesar, who hammered it home. Game. Set. Match. In the first half, Austin controlled possession but San Antonio had the more dangerous chances.

Perales made a sprawling save on a free kick in the 19th minute. A bit later, he came to the rescue again on a low screamer from 15 yards out.

Stadium update: An Aztex official said no decisions were made Wednesday concerning the team’s home field for the rest of 2015. The club awaits word from AISD officials on whether the House Park field turf needs to be replaced and what the timeline would be.

The Reeves Athletic Complex in Northwest Austin remains the favored destination if details and finances can be worked out.